WASHINGTON: The U.S. is working on a number of projects, including basic education, in India to empower women, a senior Obama administration official has said. "We have a number of programs aimed at empowering women starting with basic education, creating an environment where women have the opportunity," Alfonso E Lenhardt, Acting Administrator of the US Agency for International Development,

said during a Congressional hearing on Wednesday. "Girls have the opportunity to learn, to grow, and eventually make a major contribution to their country and their families as many other things," he said in response to a question from Congressman Dr Ami Bera.He said the programmes are aimed at securing women, girls as much as possible, keeping them protected from gender-based violence, as well as thinking about girls who are being forced into early marriage. "All of these efforts are aimed at empowering women, keeping them safe, you saw some of that when you're on the ground. And so, we feel confident that this is working for us but more work has to be done. And so, it is a constant routine for us to reach out to empower girls," Lenhardt said.On support to India, he said: "If I can just take it from the top at the macro level, the strategic partnership is very important to us, and as we think about our shift to Asia and the support there, (India) is a very important partner."